Lafayette’s Culinary Scene Will Feed Your Soul and Your Belly
Lafayette is in the heart of the region known as Acadiana, where cuisine is king.
Lafayette is in the heart of the region known as Acadiana, where cuisine is king.
The Lafayette area, the most densely populated region between Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, is the heartland of Cajun cuisine along the Bayou Bounty culinary trail. Did you know that Lafayette has more restaurants per capita than New Orleans, and even New York City? There are endless options in this restaurant-rich region.
The Best Culinary Experiences in Lafayette
Cajun Food Tours
The best way to experience the flavor of Louisiana is from a cozy, customized tour bus! Through Cajun Food Tours, you’ll learn the history, love the culture and, best of all, stop to taste the famous Cajun delights that make Lafayette so unique. They pick up from many area hotels and take you off the beaten path for tasting stops at local favorites around Lafayette. Expect to taste many Cajun originals like boudin, king cake, etouffee, gumbo, fried seafood, cracklin’ and more!
EatLafayette
EatLafayette is a celebration of the restaurants that make Lafayette’s culture so appetizing. The campaign gives locally owned restaurants the opportunity to showcase their cuisine. With a wide variety of restaurants offering mouthwatering specials, EatLafayette is sure to make dining out easier on your pocketbook. So join us as we manger (Cajun-French for “eat”) in support of Lafayette's one-of-a-kind restaurants.
Coconut Shrimp from Charley G's.
Poor Boys from Olde Tyme Grocery.
Homemade boudin.
Cajun Boudin Trail
The Cajun Boudin Trail puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes to discovering Louisiana’s best boudin and other regional specialty items, be it a pork chop sandwich, beef jerky, cheesy boudin balls, specialty sausages, cracklins, smoked meats, plate lunches, stuffed chickens or chili dogs. The area in and around Lafayette is the indisputable center of all things boudin. Lafayette even holds the annual Boudin Cookoff in October, where the top boudiniers come together to show off their skills. The city of Scott in Lafayette Parish is the Boudin Capital of the World and hosts the annual Boudin Festival in April.
Plate Lunch Trail
Looking for comforting soul food? Look no further than the Plate Lunch Trail. Consisting of protein, a gravy-covered starch, a pair of vegetable sides, and a simple piece of bread — and often all served on a single plate — the plate lunch is rooted in the marriage of rustic, home-style cooking. Discover the people and stories behind some of Lafayette's oldest plate lunch houses.
Farmers Markets
One of the best ways to get in tune with the Acadiana community is with a visit to a Farmers Market. There are an abundance of these markets in Lafayette and the surrounding areas – with local vendors ready to feature an abundance of produce, homemade treats, artisan trinkets, and more local products. Pick up a tasty treat – with options such as a sweet or savory pies, tamales, baked goods– or load up your bounty of fresh produce and cook up a delicious meal using one of our recipes.
T-Coon's Plate Lunch.
Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville.
Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market.
Acadiana Breweries
There are some great breweries in the Lafayette area – perfect for washing down all the local delicacies. Adopted Dog Brewing is proud to be the only craft brewery located in the city of Lafayette. Opened in 2023, Adopted Dog serves a wide range of tried & true beer styles (with their brewmaster's touch) and small batches. The brewery is family-friendly and dog-friendly, too! Order a meal to compliment your beer with their delectable menu, including flatbreads, burgers, sandwiches and more.
Bayou Teche Brewing is another favorite. Their flagship beer is Bière Pâle – a Louisiana Pale Ale designed to pair with all local cuisine. Other beers include Swamp Thing IPA, Cinco De Bayou Mexican Style Lager, DDH Cocodrie IPA, Acadie French Farmhouse Ale, and Ragin' Cajuns Lager & Ale. You can often find events or cookouts at the brewery paired with local food trucks. Also located on-site is The Cajun Saucer, which offers authentic wood-fired pizzas to pair with your brew.
Parish Brewing has been making a name for itself since 2008. The company’s flagship brew is Canebrake, a refreshing wheat ale brewed with Steen’s Cane Syrup from nearby Abbeville. In 2013, Parish released a double IPA called Ghost in the Machine. Today, Ghost is a widely renowned beer that has gained praise from enthusiasts around the world, even earning a Best of 2019 award from Craft Beer & Brewing magazine.
Learn about more restaurants in Lafayette and the surrounding area, and come hungry!
